Pax

The Pax is a handheld vaporizer developed by Ploom. It features an internal lithium-ion battery, three selectable temperatures, multi-colored LED status indicator, large medical grade stainless steel conduction oven, medical grade stainless steel vapor path, anodized aluminum casing in three colors: Onyx (Black), Amethyst (Purple), and Cobalt (Blue). It uses a stainless steel air path. The Pax can heat up in as little as 30 seconds.

Dimensions

The oven is approximately .31" wide x .87" long x .31" deep (8 mm x 22 mm x 8 mm). The load size depends on the material and how tightly it is packed. A typical tightly packed load is about .35 g.

Usage Tips

The Pax by Ploom has three temperature settings, changeable by removing the mouthpiece and using the white button inside the chamber to cycle through the choices:

Yellow, or low = 370° F (188° C)

Orange, or medium = 390° F (199° C)

Red, or high = 410° F (210° C)

Pack the oven tightly to get the best possible usage out of this device. Users report that a full oven typically provides better clouds although some users have had success with partial packing.

Draw slowly. Pulling too hard cools the Pax down and slows or even halts vapor production. One successful technique is micro-hitting: a series of small, gentle puffs. This is sometimes called the "cigar technique." The Pax is designed for slow, methodical draws. If the mouthpiece heats up on your lips, you are pulling too hard.

It's a good idea to "burn off" a new Pax before its initial session. Set to high and run empty for 5-10 minutes.

The Pax battery prefers frequent charges. Most users report between 3-5 sessions per charge is typical, but the Pax can be charged as frequently as the user prefers. Some users claim that frequent charging is better for long-term battery life. Ploom claims that after 300 full charge cycles, users can expect the Pax battery to be at approximately 80% of its original strength. Ploom also says a battery replacement program is in the works since the battery is not user replaceable.

Party Mode

Party Mode allows for the Pax to override the standby mode. This will make it so that the Pax will not go into standby. To shut off party mode, turn the Pax off and then back on.

To activate:
Hold it horizontally in front of you and roll it towards you like 3 times.

The "Temp Light Issue"

Many users have reported their Pax suffering from the "temp light issue," which is when the power light on the Pax remains on the temperature color (yellow, orange, or red) rather than warming up (purple) with the mouthpiece open. A quick fix for this problem is to remove the mouthpiece and blow into it from either side for about three seconds and reconnect. This will typically boot the Pax into warm-up mode and allow for a session.

The problem seems to be with the internal switch that triggers when the mouthpiece is released. Residue from the air path can build up in that spot and cause the switch to not engage. The best "fix" is to maintain a fairly strict cleaning regiment with the Pax. On the FC board, the motto is "A clean Pax is a happy Pax."

Lubricating the Mouthpiece Stem

Ploom has released a lubricant that resolves the temp light issue described above. The lubricant is a food-grade propylene glycol, which users can easily obtain by requesting lube packets from Ploom. Alternatively, although Ploom does not recommend using other brands, users can buy bottles of propylene glycol from many sources, including Amazon.

The following instructions for applying the lube come directly from a Ploom representative:

If your Pax mouthpiece seems to be a bit sticky, and/or if your Pax LED indicator displays the temperature setting when your mouthpiece is in the "on" position, applying our food based lubricant should resolve the issue. Apply a small droplet of our lubricant into the stem of the metal tube and another droplet on the outside of the tube. Use the packet to smudge it all around the tube and under the sliding ring. Re-insert your mouthpiece into Pax and press the mouthpiece in and out a few times to distribute the lubricant. You don't need a large amount - a little goes a long way!

Cleaning & Maintenance

Clean here!

The simplest and safest method is to clean the device right after use, using a dry Q-tip and a dry pipe cleaner while the unit is still hot. This will ensure no sticky residue will get left behind and cause things to gunk up.

Prior to the release of the mouthpiece lubricant, most FC users reported that a full cleaning every 3-5 sessions or so is a necessity to keep the Pax in top shape and to fix or avoid the "temp light issue." Although the lubricant has resolved the problem, most users still agree that a regular cleaning regiment is preferred. Generally, a good "deep cleaning" includes the following:

Using an alcohol wipe, lightly moisten a q-tip and clean the oven well.

Clean the oven lid with the alcohol wipe.

Using an alcohol wipe, lightly moisten a pipe cleaner and push through the air path, which will pop out the screen.

Soak the mouthpiece in ISO overnight and rinse well with warm water.

Perhaps the most important step, especially in terms of fixing the "temp light issue," is to clean the area where the mouthpiece connects to the airpath. Using a denta-stick (such as a GUM-brand) moistened with ISO, gently clean the area between the outer sleeve and the air path, being careful not to use too much force. Users report that cleaning this area can fix the "temp light issue" and that regular cleaning can eliminate the problem altogether. (See thumbnail on right.)

Of course, if using the lube, reapply after each deep cleaning. In addition, using the lube will allow less frequent cleaning, but YMMV. The bottom-line adage still applies: A clean Pax is a happy Pax.

If you want to get the screen back to almost brand new condition, several members have had success using Coarse Steel wool and soaking the steel wool with a bit of rubbing alcohol, and then rubbing the screen with the steel wool. It returned it to new condition. You can also cut a piece of steel wool and rub it in the oven to get the oven back to a brand new shine. This is much harder the longer you wait, but I've had success with this method as well.

New design is in the left. Note the difference in the sliding rings.

Cleaning Don'ts

Do not use ISO inside the mouthpiece chamber. Doing so can cause the temperature control button to stick. If the button does stick, some users have reported that it can be freed by gently working it from side to side with a small flat screwdriver or knife blade.

Do not soak the oven lid in ISO. Using a small amount of ISO on q Q-tip or wipe is okay.

New Mouthpiece Design

Ploom replaced its original mouthpiece with a newly designed mouthpiece sometime shortly after the brand launched. The initial design caused some issues with the power switch that the new design fixes. The major difference is the size and shape of the sliding ring at the top of the mouthpiece tube.

Glass Connection Mods

Stem to glass connection

FC member VaPeD&CoNfUsEd developed this mod to connect the Pax to a 19mm glass connection to fit on a mini travel bubbler made specifically for tube vapes. Of course, you could alter the mod for any size connection that has a tube fitting.

Connected and ready to go

Materials

Extra Pax mouthpiece ($20 from Ploom)

Standard oxygen tubing (easily found and cheap). Make sure to get one with the built-in connectors.

Mod

Remove metal stem from the extra mouthpiece. It pulls off with minimum force, but be careful not to lose the ring in case you want to use it again.

Cut 3-4" from one end of the oxygen tubing.

Connect the oxygen tubing to the vapor glass connector. Optional: use heat shrink tubing for a cleaner look.

Connect the trimmed end of the tubing to the metal stem from the Pax. This takes a bit of effort. Lube helps; plus, gently heating the tubing as you work it on helps as well, but be careful not to melt it.

Turn on the Pax and remove the original mouthpiece.

Connect the prepared metal stem to the Pax to the first click. Pax should begin heating. Be careful not to push the stem to the second click, or it will be set. You can pull it loose with a pair of needle-nose pliers if necessary.

Warranty

The Pax warranty cover defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for a period of ten (10) years from the date of retail purchase by the original end-user purchaser. If a claim is made, Ploom reserves the right to:

Repair the product defect, or

Exchange the product with a product that is new or is at least a functionally equivalent product, or

Refund the purchase price of the product.

The warranty does not apply to normal performance degradation of batteries or neglecting to adhere to cleaning instructions.